Author: Elissa

This is it, our last trip day for Summer 2022. Crazy to think that there are only 11 days left to our magical summer at Camp Chen-A-Wanda.

Our Freshman, Juniors and Middies had the most fun filled packed trip day of the summer. They started their day at Leahy’s fun park where they played in the coolest arcade, zipped around in go-karts and had a ball in the bumper water boats. The fun just continued as the kids went ice skating. It was so much fun and a highlight for the kids was when the Zamboni cleaned the ice. The kids started cheering with excitement. The Chenny spirit was flying high today. After the took of their skates, it was off to the movies to catch the latest summer blockbusters. The kids munched on popcorn and relaxed in their seats. The day was long and so much was packed into their last trip day of the summer. Our little ones had the greatest day. Where do you get to play in an arcade and go-karting, ice skate followed by a movie??? Chenny is where!!

The Inters, Collegiate’s, Seniors, Supers & GC’s loved their day spent at Dorney Park and LOVED it. Nothing is better than amusement parks in the summer with your best friends. It was a day full of roller coasters, log rides, park food, belly laughs and memories that will last forever. What could be better than that? The kids rolled into camp late tonight and got off the buses with huge smiles and even bigger stuffed animals they won at the park. There are some things that truly define our summers and experiencing amusement parks with your campies is one of them.

The CIT’s had their last trip spent  all together at Hershey Park. What could possibly be better than spending a day at Hershey with your camp besties. It was rollercoasters and chocolate. This group went on this trip when they were Seniors and now as they face the last 11 days of their camper career, it was back to a place they loved when they were 13 years old. As their bus rolled into camp tonight, they all knew that was the last time they would do this as a division.

There is a feeling here this summer unlike other summers. Maybe it was the desire to get back to normal. Maybe it was the feeling of freedom without thinking about covid all the time. Maybe it was having an incredible staff that included all our international friends that couldn’t come for the past 2 years. Maybe it was having trips again and inter camp tournaments. And maybe it was combination of all of the above but whatever it was, it was incredible. We have 11 more days and lots more to do. But tonight all the kids are safely back from their trips, exhausted from a day spent well and excited for what’s around the corner. 1…2…3…4.. they want color war 🙂

Life is so GREAT at Camp Chen-A-Wanda

There is nothing quite like camp traditions and this one is on the top of the list. Girls Sing is the ultimate camp tradition on girls side. Girls have been practicing for days and the pride each division has for making it great is unreal. For days now, you see groups of girls rehearsing their dance, perfecting their moves and memorizing their almas and cheers. It defines Chenny and there isn’t a girl on campus that isn’t fully engaged with this event. The big night is tonight and from what we see, the show will be a night to remember. We love everything about Girls Sing!!!

The night was all about Girls Sing and it was INCREDIBLE. It is a summer favorite and defines our camp tradition and spirit. Each division worked so hard on their dances and songs and it showed. When boys side can sit and support girls side for 2 hours, you know something special is happening. The support boys side gives girls side is just breathtaking. From our adorable freshmen all the way through our  beautifully talented CIT’s, they all brought the house down. I could never bring justice to describing the bonds these girls have with one another but watching them up on stage perform together allows us all to witness it for ourselves.  It is a true sisterhood that will stay with each and every one of them throughout their lives.  Each division picked a theme, danced and sang from their heart and soul. The emotion that was felt by every single camper and staff inside Shield’s Hall could have moved mountains. There were chills upon chills as each division wrote and sang their alma to an audience that listened to every single word.  They held hands and did it together and this is why the bonds are so tight. This shared tradition creates memories that will never fade. They will sing their songs for years to come and will never forget a word.

Congratulations goes out to the Inter girls for winning lower camp Sing this year. It was Inter the Woods  Land and our Inter girls were over the top fabulous. The costumes, the dances, the confidence and the showmanship were on display tonight from our Inter Girls. The emotions that happened as the CIT’s took the stage tonight  was unreal. From the first dance to their alma as they sat side by side tonight holding hands knowing that after all these summers spent together this was their last Girls Sing. The emotions ran high and the feelings ran deep. The CIT’s  won for upper camp as they performed CIT’s of the Caribbean. Their connection to each other, the beautiful friendships that they have nurtured and the respect and love they have for one another was center stage tonight. As we all watched this unfold in front of our eyes, you couldn’t help get emotional and cry with joy to watch these amazing young women perform together for the last time on our stage. What a night it was and to bear witness to this long standing camp tradition of Girls Sing was a highlight of our summer.

Now matter where each girl will go in their life, being a part of Girls Sing defines their youth. They wont forget the theme they chose, the songs they sang or dances they made. No matter how much time passes and how many years go by, Girls Sing will always stay forever in their hearts and will be a thread that connects them all. Oh what a night.

Hard to believe that we only have 13 more days left of summer 2022. It is going at lightening speed and it is just so hard to believe that in just 13 days, our Chenny summer coming to an end. There is just so much more to happen and experience that we will not waste a minute. There are those camp events that indicate camp is coming to an end and with Girls Sing happening tomorrow,  and we all know that Color War is within reach. Even with only 13 days to go, we have 13 days of jumping in the lake, 13 days of pizza making, 13 days of playing palace with our besties and 13 days of feeling the freedom we do when we are here at camp.  No matter how tired we are or how exhausted we may feel, there is something that happens when Color War breaks and a giant surge of energy overcomes us all. We push through to the finish line and end camp with the biggest bang. There are so many incredible moments you experience when you live here all summer long but the last 2 weeks may be my favorite. You know its nearing the end but so much too look forward to.

“Do Not Judge Me by My Successes, Judge Me By How Many Times I Have Fallen and Got Back Up” – Nelson Mandela

Tonight was Head Staff Lip Sync and it was INSANELY GREAT!! I urge you to watch the video when it comes out on line. It was so  entertaining and our kids loved every minute of it. There is nothing like watching Head Staff Lip Sync in the Hall. The energy is palpable and tonight was no exception. When anyone in our camp family takes the stage, it feels like each of us are up there with them. This sense of pride we all feel is contagious. You cant explain it but you love to feel it. The talent, the choreography, the lip syncing, the costumes, the heart and soul behind each performance made tonight exceptional. Our Head Staff put on quite a show and it was a night we won’t soon forget. Your kids got a treat tonight and as I was watching this amazing show, I wondered who had more fun, the kids or our staff and the answer is obviously both!!! Best news is we get 13 more glorious days and nights to share moments like these.

It’s award time here at Chen-A-Wanda and time again to honor our Campers of the Week for being spectacular!! A ginormous congratulations to the following campers who are so deserving of this recognition.

Girls Side: Lyla Goldberg, Hailey Eichenbaum, Morgan Fischer, Julia Seilback, Lyla Miller, Marissa Holzman, Alex Bass, Kylie Ross, Haylin Roth, Lexi Heifler

Boys Side: Dylan Glenn, Cooper Rosen, Drew Kastin, Andrew Marcus, Jake Sklar, Ashton Shibla, Jason Marks, Zach Morris, Landon Miller, Jake Weiss & Chrlie Marcus

Freshman/Junior Boys Basketball CAW 21 vs. Wayne 30

Middy Boys Baseball CAW 7 vs. Wayne 11

Supers Boys Baseball CAW 0 vs Westmont 11

Collegiate Girls Soccer – CAW 4  @ Wayne 3 – Chenny wins Championship

A brunch wakeup is always welcomed by everyone and it was so needed. The campers strolled into the Lodge and dined on a great assortment of delicious breakfast/lunch buffet options. The weather was ideal, not too hot, not too cool – but just right. Fields were full of happy kids and camp was just buzzing today. It was one of those days where everyone was in a great mood and camp just hd good vibes.

It was OBL night at CAW and it was incredible. This 1v1 tournament is a hit with everyone at Chenny and I personally (along with OBL creator Tracy McGrady) couldn’t be more excited. We face timed Tracy during the competition so he could he see how his idea of creating a 1v1 league has literally taken off here at Chenny and the NBA Hall of Famer loved watching it happen. The 1v1 trend is real and the kids got behind their counselors who were playing to represent their division. There was a mens bracket and women’s too. Biddy City was popping’ with 1v1 basketball tonight under the lights. It was so much fun watching the kids cheer for their counselors who were playing for them. Each division supported their favorite player with cheers and chants and of course signs they made by hand. One thing we do right here is get behind and support our camp family. We are just the most supportive group of people Ive ever been around. Both campers and staff were so excited cheering on their person. It was electric. One on one basketball is a huge hit here and tonights evening activity was a slam dunk